Target hanger

ABSTRACT

A target hanger, comprising an L-shaped body having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, the first elongate portion having a first end and a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the second elongate portion extending perpendicularly outward from the first side edge at the second end of the first elongate portion. A first target receptacle is positioned on the first side edge of the first elongate portion and a second target receptacle is positioned on the second side edge of the first elongate portion. The first and second target receptacles being spaced from the second elongate portion by at least a distance that is greater than a thickness of a target board; the first and second target receptacles each being sized and shaped to receive and retain an outer edge of the target sufficiently to support the weight of the target.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates to a hanger used to hang targets, such as “clay pigeons” for target shooting, on a target backer board or on a horizontal line.

BACKGROUND

When target shooting, it is common to hang the target, such as a clay pigeon, on a target board or on a suspended line. U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,887 (Hensley) entitled “Target Hanger and Target Support System” describes a hanger that grips a target and allows it to be hung from a suspended line.

SUMMARY

There is provided a target hanger comprising an L-shaped body having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, the first elongate portion having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the second elongate portion extending perpendicularly outward from the first side edge at the second end of the first elongate portion. The target hanger has a first target receptacle positioned on the first side edge of the first elongate portion and a second target receptacle positioned on the second side edge of the first elongate portion. The first and second target receptacles are spaced from the second elongate portion by at least a distance that is greater than a thickness of a target board. The first and second target receptacles are each sized and shaped to receive and retain an outer edge of the target sufficiently to support the weight of the target.

According to another aspect, each target receptacle may comprise an upper portion, a lower portion, a front portion, and a back portion, with the space between the upper and lower portions approximating the thickness of the edge of the target and the space between the back and front portions approximating the depth of the depth of the edge of the target. Each target receptacle may have an opening between the front portion and the bottom portion for receiving the edge of a target.

According to another aspect, the edge of the target may be generally rectangular and the first and second target receptacles retain the target edge in an orientation that is parallel to the first elongate portion.

According to another aspect, the first target receptacle and the second target receptacles may be spaced along the first elongate portion from the second elongate portion at different distances.

According to another aspect, the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion of the target hanger may be connected by a radiused portion.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of hanging a target, comprising the steps of providing a target hanger comprising the features described above; determining whether a target support is a horizontal support or a hole in a backer board; if the target support is a horizontal support, engaging the outer edge of the target by the first target receptacle and placing the target hanger over the horizontal support such that the second elongate portion is on a first side of the horizontal support and the target is on a second side of the horizontal support; if the target support is a hole in a backer board, engaging the outer edge of the target by the second target receptacle, inserting the second elongate portion through the hole and rotating the L-shaped body until the second elongate portion extends upward along a back surface of the backer board and the target is adjacent to a front surface of the backer board.

According to an aspect, the horizontal support may be a suspended line or the horizontal edge of a backer board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the target hanger.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the target hanger prior to being inserted into a hole in the backer board.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the target hanger being inserted into the backer board.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the target hanger which is inserted into the backer board.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the target hanger supported a suspended line.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the target hanger supported by an upper horizontal edge of backer board.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the target hanger supported by a large hole in a backer board.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the target hanger holding a target in a first target receptacle.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the target hanger holding a target in a second target receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A target hanger generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the target hanger 10 having an L-shaped body. Target hanger 10 has a first elongate portion 12 and a second elongate portion 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there is a curved portion that connects first elongate portion 12 and second elongate portion 14. However, there may be other embodiments where the connection between first elongate portion 12 and second elongate portion 14 is a radiused portion. The first elongate portion has a first end 16 and a second end 18. First elongate portion also has a first side edge 20 and a second side edge 22. Preferably, first and second side edges 20 and 22 are parallel, although variations are possible. The second elongate portion 14 extends perpendicularly outward from first side edge 20 at second end 18 of first elongate portion 12.

Target hanger 10 has two target receptacles. A first target receptacle 24 is positioned on first side edge 20 of first elongate portion 12 and a second target receptacle 34 is positioned on second side edge 22 of first elongate portion 12. Each target receptacle 24 and 34 has an upper portion 26, a lower portion 28, a front portion 30 and a back portion 32. In this example, the edges of target hanger 10, including first side edge 20, second side edge 22, the edges of first target receptacle 24, and the edges of second target receptacle 34, are generally rectangular such that it generally matches the cross-section of the target being retained.

As can be seen, the space between upper portion 26 and lower portion 28 of first and second target receptacles 24 and 34 is approximately the thickness of the edge of the target 50 while the space between front portion 30 and back portion 32 of first and second target receptacles 24 and 34 is approximately the same as the depth of the edge of the target such that receptacles 24 and 34 generally approximate the size and shape of the edge of the target being retained. Both target receptacles 24 and 34 have an opening between front portion 30 and lower portion 28 for receiving the edge of a target. The space between front portion 30 and back portion 32 of first and second target receptacles 24 and 34 is large enough to receive the edge of a target. If target receptacles 24 and 34 are made from a resilient material, it is not necessary that the space be larger than the thickness of the edge of the target. First target receptacle 24 and second target receptacle 34 are each sized and shaped to receive and retain the outer edge of the target in such a way as to support the target while target anchor 10 is anchored to a support surface, such as a target board or horizontal support.

The distance between first target receptacle 24 and second end 18 is greater than the distance between second target receptacle 34 and second end 18. However, there may be other embodiments where the distances between the target receptacles and the second end will be different from the example shown in FIG. 1. There may be other embodiments where the edges are not rectangular. For example, a different shape may be used for a target with a different shape of edge. Furthermore, contact between receptacle 24 or 34 is only required at certain points, and not the entire receptacle. Accordingly, it is possible to design receptacles 24 and 34 to have a different shape, depending on the preferences of the user or the designer. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, target hanger 10 is holding target 50 which has a rectangular target edge 52. FIG. 8 depicts target 50 held by first target receptacle 24 and FIG. 9 depicts target 50 held by second target receptacle 34. In both FIGS. 8 and 9, target receptacles 24 and 34 retain the target edge 52 in an orientation that is parallel to first elongate portion 12 and the edge of the target received within receptacles 24 and 34 fits well. Receptacles 24 and 34 are designed to support the front face of the edge and the back of the bottom of the edge. When installed against a backer board, the bottom of the target will keep the edge within receptacle 24 or 34 aligned properly, such that the target will be supported.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, illustrate a method of using target hanger 10 to anchor target hanger 10 to a hole in target backer board 40 in such a way that it is capable of receiving and holding a target. FIG. 2 shows the first step of a method of using target hanger 10 to anchor target hanger 10 to a target backer board 40. Target hanger 10 is oriented such that second elongate portion 14 perpendicular to a front surface of target backer board 44 of target backer board 40. The large arrow in FIG. 2 indicates the direction of insertion of target hanger 10 into a hole in target backer board 40. FIG. 3 shows second elongate portion 14 being inserted into the hole on target backer board 40. Once inserted, target hanger 10 is rotated in the direction of the large arrow in order to arrive at the final installed position shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, target hanger 10 is now oriented such that second elongate portion 14 is substantially parallel with a back surface of target backer board 46. Second target receptacle 34 is adjacent to the front surface of target backer board 44 and just below the hole in target backer board 40. In FIG. 2-4, the installation of target hanger 10 is shown without a target attached for the purposes of clarity. Generally, target hanger 10 will be attached to a target first (as shown in FIG. 9), and then installed in backer board 40. This is because the weight and position of the target will help hold target hanger 10 in place, and also allows the target to be attached to target hanger 10 without a backer board to interfere.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 all depict target hanger 10 anchored to different kinds of horizontal supports. In FIG. 4, target hanger 10 is anchored on a hole in the backer board. In this version, second elongate portion 14 extends up the back surface 46 of backer board 40, and first elongate portion 12 rests within the hole in backer board 40. Referring to FIG. 9, target 50 is attached to second receptacle 34 in this orientation. Referring to FIG. 4, the weight at second receptacle 34 will pull down on first elongate portion 12, and will cause second elongate portion 14 to more fully engage backer board 40. In this way, the weight of target 50 (shown in FIG. 9), helps secure target hanger 10 in place. FIG. 6 depicts target hanger 10 anchored on top of the upper horizontal surface of the backer board, while FIG. 7 shows target hanger 10 anchored in a large hole of backer board. In these orientations, target 50 will be secured within first receptacle 24 as shown in FIG. 8. Second elongate portion 14 now extends down along the back surface 46 of backer board 40 and does not engage backer board 40 as was done in FIG. 4. Instead, second elongate portion 14 acts as a stop to prevent target hanger 10 from falling off the edge on which it is set, such that the combination of second elongate portion 14, first elongate portion 12 and target 50 engage backer board 50 as an inverted “U”. FIG. 5 shows target hanger 10 anchored on a suspended line 48. Target 50 is engaged in first receptacle 24 as shown in FIG. 8, but will not be against a backer board 50. In this example, the weight of target 50 will cause target hanger 10 to pivot slightly around line 48 such that line 48 will engage the radiused portion between first and second portions 12 and 14, or in an inverted “V” configuration. In FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, backer board 50 helps secure the target within receptacle 24 or 34 by ensuring it is held in place against lower portion 28 by front portion 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, target 50 will not be held in place by a backer board. Instead, as the target hanger 10 pivots about line 48, the center of mass of target 50 will be below line 48 and behind target receptacle 24, such that it is held against upper portion 26 and front portion 30 such that the weight can be supported by lower portion 28. In all of the examples depicted in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, the thickness of the horizontal support is less than the space along first side edge 20 between first target receptacle 24 and second end 18 and the space along second side edge 22 between second target receptacle 34 and second end 18.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A target hanger, comprising: an L-shaped body having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, the first elongate portion having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the second elongate portion extending perpendicularly outward from the first side edge at the second end of the first elongate portion; and a first target receptacle positioned on the first side edge of the first elongate portion and a second target receptacle positioned on the second side edge of the first elongate portion, the first and second target receptacles being spaced from the second elongate portion by at least a distance that is greater than a thickness of a target board; the first and second target receptacles each being sized and shaped to receive and retain an outer edge of the target sufficiently to support the weight of the target.
 2. The target hanger of claim 1, wherein each target receptacle comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a front portion and a back portion, the space between the upper and lower portions approximating the thickness of the edge of the target and the space between the back and front portions approximating the depth of the depth of the edge of the target, the target receptacle having an opening between the front portion and the bottom portion for receiving the edge of a target.
 3. The target hanger of claim 1, wherein the target edge is generally rectangular and the first and second target receptacles retain the target edge in an orientation that is parallel to the first elongate portion.
 4. The target hanger of claim 1, wherein the first target receptacle and the second target receptacles are spaced along the first elongate portion from the second elongate portion at different distances.
 5. The target hanger of claim 1, wherein the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion are connected by a radiused portion.
 6. A method of hanging a target, comprising: providing a target hanger, comprising: an L-shaped body having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, the first elongate portion having a first end, a second end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the second elongate portion extending perpendicularly outward from the first side edge at the second end of the first elongate portion; a first target receptacle positioned on the first side edge of the first elongate portion and a second target receptacle positioned on the second side edge of the first elongate portion, the first and second target receptacles being spaced from the second elongate portion by at least a distance that is greater than a thickness of a target board, the first and second target receptacles each being sized and shaped to receive and retain an outer edge of the target sufficiently to support the weight of the target; determining whether a target support is a horizontal support or a hole in a backer board; if the target support is a horizontal support, engaging the outer edge of the target by the first target receptacle and placing the target hanger over the horizontal support such that the second elongate portion is on a first side of the horizontal support and the target is on a second side of the horizontal support; and if the target support is a hole in a backer board, engaging the outer edge of the target by the second target receptacle, inserting the second elongate portion through the hole and rotating the L-shaped body until the second elongate portion extends upward along a back surface of the backer board and the target is adjacent to a front surface of the backer board.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein each target receptacle of the target hanger comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, a front portion and a back portion, the space between the upper and lower portions approximating the thickness of the edge of the target and the space between the back and front portions approximating the depth of the depth of the edge of the target, the target receptacle having an opening between the front portion and the bottom portion for receiving the edge of a target.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the outer edge of the target is generally rectangular and the first and second target receptacles retain the target edge in an orientation that is parallel to the first elongate portion.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first target receptacle and the second target receptacles of the target hanger are spaced along the first elongate portion from the second elongate portion at different distances.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion of the target hanger are connected by a radiused portion.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the horizontal support is a suspended line.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein the horizontal support is a horizontal edge of a backer board. 